Global Sodium Consumption and Death from Cardiovascular Causes
Dariush Mozaffarian, Saman Fahimi, Gitanjali M Singh, Renata Micha, Shahab Khatibzadeh, Rebecca E Engell, Stephen S Lim, Goodarz Danaei, Majid Ezzati, John W. Powles · New England Journal of Medicine (2014)
TL;DR
In 2010, about 1.65 million deaths from cardiovascular causes were linked to sodium intake above 2.0 grams per day.
What they did
Researchers collected diet and urine survey data from 66 countries, covering 74.1% of the world’s adults. They used the data to estimate global sodium consumption and its effects on blood pressure and cardiovascular deaths.
What they found
The study estimated that the average global sodium intake was 3.95 grams per day in 2010. About 1.65 million deaths from cardiovascular causes were linked to sodium intake above the reference level of 2.0 grams per day. 84.3% of those deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries, and 40.4% were premature, happening before age 70.
Why it matters
The results are linked to the amount of sodium people consume in their daily diets. Studies suggest that choosing lower-sodium foods could help reduce cardiovascular risk. However, these estimates are based on population-level modeling and may vary for individuals.
Limits
The abstract does not detail study limitations. This is general education, not medical advice.
Jargon explained
- urinary excretion
- a method of measuring sodium by testing urine samples
- meta-analysis
- a study that combines results from many other studies to find an average result
- comparative risk assessment
- a way to compare health risks between different groups or situations
Read the original: https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa1304127
Full citation
Dariush Mozaffarian, Saman Fahimi, Gitanjali M Singh, Renata Micha, Shahab Khatibzadeh, Rebecca E Engell, Stephen S Lim, Goodarz Danaei, Majid Ezzati, John W. Powles (2014). Global Sodium Consumption and Death from Cardiovascular Causes. New England Journal of Medicine. DOI: 10.1056/nejmoa1304127
Open access (bronze): https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa1304127
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Educational information only, not medical or dietary advice. Consult a qualified health professional for personal nutrition guidance.